Inclusion and Special Education

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Transcript of Inclusion and Special Education

THE DEBATE: Should Special Education Students Be Included in the General Education Classroom?AGAINST INCLUSIONFOR INCLUSIONInclusion and Special Education"Inclusion is a major concern! It is an injustice to everyone in the classroom. Too many individual needs, accommodations, behavior plans, and not enough staff or help to make sure everyone is getting the best education." -Missy

"...the time I must devote to the inclusion students significantly takes away from the time I can spend with other students. The students I have who are emotionally disturbed do cause major amount of disruptions during the class period. Sometimes as frequently as every few minutes. " -Gene

"Special ed teachers are trained to teach special needs children and will surely do a better job than non-trained, overwhelmed general education teachers. We are asking our teachers to do an IMPOSSIBLE task by managing these diverse classrooms and by the way, they are expected to turn out higher and higher tests scores each year..." -Annie

Believe students with disabilities do best in smaller classrooms with extra attention and teachers specifically trained in disabilities.Benefits of InclusionFor Students with DisabilitiesThey have higher expectations than they normally would have in a special education classroom, which pushes them to work harder.

They feel a greater sense of belonging being able to learn in the same classroom as their peers and in a more socially engaging environment.

It improves their social skills by being able to interact with a more diverse range of students than just those with special needs.

It potentially improves their self-esteem because when put into a specialized classroom some students may feel embarrassed and ashamed of themselves. Being a part of a general classroom setting could prevent them from feeling this way.Benefits of Inclusion for Students Without a DisabilityThey learn to be tolerant of people who are differentfrom themselves and become more informed aboutdisabilities.

They learn to have respect for everyone, no matterhow different they may be from them and also to appreciatedifferences. Everyone is unique in their own way.

It prepares students to go out into the real-world, where they will have to learn to live and work an inclusive society.Critical Questions(Continued)4. What would be reasons you could think of that students may need to leave their classroom? 5. What position do you take on the inclusion debate? Are you for it, against it, or somewhere in the middle and why?Activity: Watch these videos and answer the following questions. 1. Before viewing these videos, if you would have seen either of these people how would you have interacted with them? Would you have at all?2. How have these two videos changed your view of people with disabilities? Critical Thinking:1. Did the school you attended have inclusion classes? How did it/ would it have effected your learning?2. What are ways that educators could fix the cons of inclusion?3. Are there ways to provide the same benefits (sense of belonging, friendships, learning respect, etc.) without having inclusive classrooms?Disadvantages of InclusionCan negatively affect children without disabilities because teachers have to spend extra time with the students with disabilities so it takes time away from others.

Teachers may talk over the heads of students with disabilities, causing them to become frustrated or just tune out all together and become bored due to lack of understanding. Teachers who slow down in order to effectively teach them can cause the other students to get bored. They often have issues keeping with everything being taught and fall behind.Some children are mean and bully them.Difficult for classroom teacher to build a lesson that suits everyone, and also to give them the time and attention they need and deserve.Students with behavior issues may disrupt class often. This takes the teacher's attention and time away from other students.What is Special Education?

Special Education is the specially designed instruction, support, and services provided to students with disabilities to meet their unique learning needs.

"The fundamental purposes of special education are the same as those of regular education: the optimal development of the student as a skillful, free, and purposeful person, able to plan and manage his or her own life and to reach his or her highest potential as an individual and as a member of society" (Council for Exceptional Children, 2016).

The primary goal is to provide the opportunity for all students to receive the education that they are capable of learning.

IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Act) is the law that provides free and public education to students with disabilities. http://www.dodea.edu/Curriculum/specialEduc/https://www.cec.sped.org/Policy-and-Advocacy/CEC-Professional-Policies/Special-Education-in-the-Schools

What is Inclusion?Inclusion is the process of placing students with disabilities in a regular classroom setting to learn in the same environment as their peers.The curriculum must often be modified or adjusted for the disabled.The primary goal is for the disabled students to gain experience in a regular classroom as much as possible.Disadvantages of Inclusion (continued)Students with disabilities can be made to feel stupid for not being able to keep up with everyone else.

Difficult for special education teacher to help all students since they are spread out in classrooms across the building.Teachers in general education classes may not understand the disabilities and easily become frustrated and impatient with them.Provides a supportive environment for all learners

Saves money for the school because it efficiently uses its resources (maximizes staff's availability and materials for students)

Top 6 Pros and Cons of Inclusion in the Classroom | NLCATP.org. (2015, October 7). Retrieved November 18, 2016, from http://nlcatp.org/top-6-pros-and-cons-of-inclusion-in-the-classroom/

VanBuren, J. (2011, March). The Spirit of Inclusion – Embracing Special Needs Kids in the Classroom. Retrieved November 7, 2016, from http://handtohold.org/resources/helpful-articles/the-spirit-of-inclusion-embracing-special-needs-kids-in-the-classroom/

(2015, June 10). Together We Learn Better: Inclusive Schools Benefit All Children. Retrieved November 6, 2016, from http://inclusiveschools.org/together-we-learn-better-inclusive-schools-benefit-all-children/